Code of Federal Regulations Citation

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Rule Summary

On June 12, 2008, EPA issued final national air toxics standards for smaller-emitting sources, known as area sources, in the plating and polishing industry. The requirements of this final rule apply to existing and new area sources in the plating and polishing industry. The final rule will affect an estimated 2,900 existing plating and polishing facilities and applies to plating and polishing tanks, dry mechanical polishing operations, and thermal spraying operations that use or emit compounds of one or more of the following metal toxic air pollutants: cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, and nickel. The final rule includes management practices such as the use of wetting agent/fume suppressants. It requires equipment standards such as the use of tank covers or control devices, and the capture and control of emissions from thermal spraying and dry mechanical polishing. EPA amended this final rule in September 2011 to clarify certain aspects of the 2008 rule.